"We're working hard to lower costs for our customers as part of our Promise to Michigan to provide affordable and reliable service. We know that many family budgets are tight these days and every savings helps out," said Tim Sparks, Consumers Energy's vice president of energy supply operations. Sparks noted that Consumers Energy is among the lowest-cost natural gas companies in Michigan.

Compared to 5 years ago, an average residential customer's bill this heating season is down about $200 as a result of steps taken by Consumers Energy. Michigan's largest gas utility has lowered its fuel costs by 44 percent, saving customers $260 million this winter compared to five years ago.

Consumers Energy recommends that customers save additional money by making their homes more energy efficient. Information on the utility's energy efficiency programs is available at www.consumersenergy.com/save

Consumers Energy also provides an easy-to-use calculator online to compare natural gas costs to other heating fuels, such as propane or heating oil. For details, visit: http://www.consumersenergy.com/gascenter and choose "Natural Gas Value Calculator."

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.